The first fall in unemployment figures for nearly a year represents a flickering ray of hope for the economy, particularly since it is private sector jobs outstripping public sector losses. Whilst Youth Unemployment has fallen slightly there has been a disturbing growth in the number of 18-24 year olds who are now long-term unemployed. The Institute for Public Policy Research says that: ”On current progress, two-thirds of people out of work for a year will not get work in the following two years.” That of course begs the question: “When will they get work?” and: “How can they improve their employability during that time?”
At the other end of the scale the number of women in their 50s without work is increasing. I was fortunate enough to visit Malawi a few years ago to see the work of the Microloan Foundation. Whilst there I saw a culture in which women could flourish in business, could support their families and could teach and pass on knowledge to others. Somehow I can’t help feeling that we’re missing a trick by allowing the cumulative knowledge of what used to be a lifetime gather dust whilst a bright and energetic generation changes its Facebook status to ‘demoralised UK.’
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